Everyone feels stress. We know that. As a culture, we hear about it all day long. Our doctors tell us, our professors tell us, our friends, librarians, and TV commercials tell us! So how do we manage it? There has to be a way to walk into our offices each morning, and not end up wanting to punch our cubicle walls. Do you want to hear the best news, quilters? There IS a great way to manage stress…and you’re already doing it. In fact, you’re thinking about it at this moment. That’s right…quilting.
Quilting can be an incredible stress reliever. Maybe you already know this from experience, but maybe you have never really taken the time to consider the way quilting has not only helped you creatively, but emotionally, mentally, and socially as well. Here’s a little food for thought, followed be some patterns we’re sure you’ll find to be especially relaxing.
1. Working with your hands = majorly calming
In the article Experiencing Therapy Through Doing: Making Quilts, Dr. Kristin M. Langellier is quoted as stating that quilting “…absorbs emotions, allows quilters to sort out feelings, or provides a focus outside the self particularly through touch, the work of the hands” (210). We can all relate to this. We’ve all had stressful days that have left us feeling the need to put our emotions somewhere…ANYWHERE! If you’re a quilter, you know that piecing or sewing are great ways to safely physicalize anger caused by stress and release it from the body. You’re mad..and then suddenly you’re in the zone, working on a project that makes you feel both accomplished and happy.
2. Quilting Creates Community
Legend has it, all a quilter has to do in order to bond with a fellow quilter is make direct eye contact. Immediately, their minds and mouths will be filled with shared experiences, tales of your crazy projects, and favorite techniques, and they will be bonded for life…But seriously, quilting in groups can be AWESOME for your self-esteem and weekly social needs. What could be better than gathering together with people who also understand and love one of your favorite activities? Look into whether or not your community has a quilting group and JOIN UP!
3. You feel SUPER accomplished at the end of a project
“Quilting,” according to Langellier, “contributes to a feeling of accomplishment in a time of turmoil or stress” (210), and this is capital “I” important! Feeling overwhelmed at work or fighting with a loved one can leave us feeling like our lives are spinning out of control or like we’re not very good at anything. Proving to ourselves that we CAN finish a project, that we CAN create something beautiful, despite the fact that other aspects of our lives are looking grim, is an incredibly healthy habit to get in. Think of how amazing it feels to put that last stitch into a quilt. Isn’t it nice to know that these moments of satisfaction not only make us happier, but healthier as well?
Relaxing Quilt Patterns
Quick and Easy Cuddly Rag Quilt
Etch-A-Sketch Free Motion Quilt
When have YOU used quilting in order to relax? Comment below and let us know!
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I love this page
I have always loved quilting because of the fabric colors, patterns, choices, people, shows, fabric etc……………….
It has helped me after my Dad passed and later when my Mom passed and most recently when my brother in -law and next door neighbor passed at age 57 from AD. I have made my second fidget quilt since he passed.
I have met new friends through quilting and strengthened my current friendships as well.
I could go on and on but I won’t.
Let’s just say quilting ties us all together.
I am so sorry for your recent loss. I am not a quilter but admire those that do. May God bless you and your talent. Lois
Amen to that. Quilting has helped me survive horrible life experiences too. Now I use it fill long hours of solitude while spouse is working a d wild horses can’t keep me away from my weekly group!
Yes to all of this! I am not a quilter, but when I get stressed, I love to sew clothing or knit. Both of them are so relaxing (most of the time). It’s so interesting to read this post today; I just wrote on my blog about choosing to sew instead of vegging on the couch and being sad. Sewing really does make me happier. http://restlessweaver.blogspot.com/2015/02/choosing-happiness.html
When I was waiting to have a tumor removed from my uterus and under going 3 months of chemo therapy I made a 480 four inch pinwheel quilt with my favorite fabrics ,Many pieces of fabric were gifts from family and friends . It filled my mind with loving thoughts as I stitched each pinwheel together 4our years ago. I have been a volunteer patchwork teacher in our small town for the last 15 years and have made so many lovely friends. I believe that quilters are very kind sharing people .
I don’t know what is moderation is needed .
I have several health issues that can limit my mobility. But no matter how bad it gets, I can always quilt! I use it as my biggest stress reliever on a daily basis, so I’m not at all surprised to read all of this at all 🙂
Quilters are often such big hearted people…I know there’s nothing I love more than working on projects that I then donate to various charities. I always visualize stitching love and healing into every stitch on those and it brings me immeasurable joy to think that something made from my heart might perhaps bring comfort to another. There’s nothing I dislike about my quilting!
Many of these new creations are about shape and texture as much as color and
style. Bourne’s President, Thomas Mc – Claskie, always uses
his creative imagery to make trendy shoes for men. Moccasin UGG
slippers are quite popular among the men.
I love my quilting and sewing websites and some of the sales they have daily it helps the elderly afford to keep up what they love to do..
I WOULD LOVE TO WIN
From the end of 2012 through 2015 a lot of people I knew passed away. The first one being my Mom Every month for about 6 moths something major happened. Job loss, people passed away, injury…. my oldest daughter passed away the following year. I just went through the motions of the day . About 6 months after my Mom passed away I knew I needed to do something constructive to move past everything that was happening and I started sewing quilt tops. I sewed for a couple of weeks into the wee hours of the mornings. With no real thought process to decide what quilt pattern or block will I use. I sewed with abandon and randomly. And one day about a month later I realized I am going to be ok , life goes on and I want to go on with it. And so…. when life gets strange or stressful I sew I pick up my random pre cuts I keep on hand and I sew. And life is good once again. The quilts I make I give away And when a friend or our other daughter is stressed I tell them to sew some blocks together, for no reason or plan.
Absolutely! Quilting is my therapy. When I quilt my mind feels calm and I feel like I’m in a good place and it’s where I belong. My mom passed away Dec 30th and her advice is still in my head. We had a trip to my cousin’s planned for this month and before Christmas mom said that I should make my cousin a table runner, that she would love it no matter what color. Even though it a busy time with Christmas and mom being so sick, I buckled down and made it. I’m going to visit another cousin this month so am making another one. I’ve missed being in my sewing room, which many times is also with my good friend. Soon life will resume to a relative normalcy soon and I want to start sewing for myself, knowing that Mom will be looking on as my champion.
When we moved twice in 2015 (end of May, and again in the beginning of July – long story), I wasn’t able to quilt from May to the following January. Once I got my sewing machine & table back up, and I got my fabric back, I had a bit of trouble getting my mind to “thing” through patterns. Getting that straight in my head again, lessened my stress and my depression. I’m now feeling more “alive” and my depression is going down and I’m feeling more productive and creative.
Previously, pieced blocks I’d had no problem understanding were “lost” to me. Now, I’m calmer and feeling SO much better.
Definitely! Quilting has been a lifesaver for me, thanks to my sister-in-law!
I’ve been into quilting since 1970’s. making things for my home and later for gifts. I switch from quilting to crochet to knit. I hand quilt. all my hobbies keep me awake while watching tv. They also keep me from snacking.
I relate to all of these people. I am sad that we have all these losses.. I am so happy to quilt! Knit and crochet..even beading .. I would like to be in a group that shares quilting..
Even reading about people who are quilting can be calming. There are series of books that focus on quilting (and knitting, etc) so when your hands won’t do the will of your imagination, you can join others in the books. One book that does not specifically talk about crafting in this way I have found helpful when I am stressed. That is the Bible and its hope for life without end and without sickness or badness like stresses us out now. If we are loyal to our creator, we will see it.
I never realized that working with your hands on a quilt can be so calming, allow you to sort your feelings, and let you release stress from your body! I think that being able to focus on something creatively without a deadline or specific requirements must be extremely beneficial to your mental health. My aunt invited me to join her in a quilting group, and I’m not really sure if I should commit my time to that project or not. But after reading this article, I can see that quilting alone or in a group can be an extremely calming, stress-relieving process! I will definitely look for a quilting fabric store in my area so I can get started on my new hobby.